5 places to see bison, America's newly named national mammal

It's official! You can call them buffalo or bison, but the wild animals, like this one at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas, have been named America's national mammal.

It's official! You can call them buffalo or bison, but the wild animals, like this one at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas, have been named America's national mammal. (Travis Heying /The Wichita Eagle via Associated Press)

Mary ForgioneLos Angeles Times

The shaggy bearded American bison finally got some respect Monday when President Obama decreed it to be the country's national mammal.

In ancient times, millions of bison (whose species name is Bison bison bison) roamed from Alaska to Mexico, and from Nevada to the Appalachian Mountains. These days, there are far fewer wild bison, just about 30,000, after the creatures were hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th century.

Here are five travel destinations to put on your summer travel list if you want to see the buffalo roam. Just make sure you keep your distance; they're wild animals, not cuddly selfie posers.

Matthew Brown / Associated Press

A small group of bison grazing at Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, Mont.

A small group of bison grazing at Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, Mont. (Matthew Brown / Associated Press)

Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming boasts the only place in America where bison have thrived since prehistoric times, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Today there are about 4,900, the largest herd on public lands.

Custer State Park in Custer, S.D., hosts a herd of about 1,300 bison. On Sept. 30, you can watch cowboys and cowgirls round them up -- and get up-close views -- for the annual culling of the herd. Some animals return to the park's grasslands; others are auctioned off. The event is free and open to the public, and there's an accompanying arts festival Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Info: Custer State Park, (605) 255-4515

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands of western North Dakota hosts about 500 bison in two sections of the park (on a north and south unit). President Theodore Roosevelt, who went bison hunting and came back with a trophy that still hangs in his Sagamore Hill home, later helped head up the American Bison Society to keep the animals from going extinct. Info: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, (701) 623-4466

Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, S.D., isn't a massive park, but it has something bison love: prairie grasses. Look for short clipped grass to find the animals in the park that's better known for its underground maze of caves. Info: Wind Cave National Park, (605) 745-4600

Mary Forgione/For the Times

Visitors who hike around Catalina Island may site buffalo on the hillsides.

Visitors who hike around Catalina Island may site buffalo on the hillsides. (Mary Forgione/For the Times)

Bison aren't native to Santa Catalina Island; Hollywood brought them.They were a prop leftover from a film shoot on the island in the early 20th century.

Today the Catalina Island Conservancy manages a couple hundred buffalo on the island that are considered a "domestic" herd, as opposed to those living in the wild.

Still, the creatures you can see if you venture out on hiking trails are indeed American bison. The best way to see them: The conservancy takes visitors out on Jeep Eco Tours to bison-worthy sites only the agency has access too; if you're lucky, you might also see another American icon species -- bald eagles.

Conservancy spokesman Matt McClain says you could visit the island and notch other official California species too: garibaldi, the state fish; California quail, the state bird; and the California poppy, the state flower.

Fall means sweater weather, crunchy leaves, bonfires and family time. Take the season to explore the great outdoors while temperatures are crisp and the summer crowds have dispersed. We've rounded up 12 rentals available on popular home-sharing websites that are perfect for an autumn weekend getaway. From a remodeled train car remodel to a cozy Victorian, there is something for every taste and preference. Prices are listed per-night and may vary by date.